WNYC & The Apollo Theater Announce “Where Do We Go From Here? MLK and the Future of Inclusion”
Featuring WQXR’s TERRANCE McKNIGHT as Master of Ceremonies
Guests Include New York Daily News Senior Justice Writer SHAUN KING,
President of Brooklyn NAACP L. JOY WILLIAMS,
and Spoken Word Poet STACEYANN CHIN
(New York, NY – December 15, 2016) – On Sunday, January 15 at 3pm, for the 11th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, WNYC and the Apollo Theater will partner for a fourth year to present “Where Do We Go From Here? MLK and the Future of Inclusion,” as part of the Apollo’s Uptown Hall series.
WNYC’s Peabody Award-winning host Brian Lehrer and Jami Floyd, local host of WNYC’s All Things Considered, will moderate an open and honest discussion on the future of social justice movements in the wake of one of the most divisive general elections in recent history and the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
In 1967– a year that found Dr. King isolated from and abandoned by the individuals and organizations that had once locked arms with him in the struggle for civil rights – he published his final manuscript “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” The book detailed his plans for America’s future, particularly related to wage inequality, housing, poverty and education. Through one-on-one interviews, media presentations and a series of panels with leading voices in journalism, politics, activism, and social justice spheres – including New York Daily News Senior Justice Writer Shaun King, Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi, President of Brooklyn NAACP L. Joy Williams, and Senior Minister Emeritus of the Riverside Church Rev. James Forbes – “Where Do We Go From Here? MLK and the Future of Inclusion” will explore the themes presented in Dr. King’s seminal work, address what the challenges are for the next president, forecast what the Post-Obama years may be like, and recommend how individuals and groups can work together to effect change.
Other guests will include:
- Tamika Mallory – Civil Rights Activist, Justice League NYC
- Joshua Lazard – Writer, minister and cultural critic
- Rabbi Ben Kamin – MLK Scholar and author of 11 books on civil rights and spirituality
- Nisha Agarwal – Commissioner, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
The event will also feature special performances by hip-hop recording artist and social activist Talib Kweli and singer-songwriter Marcelle Davies-Lashley, multi-media presentations by WNYC’s Radio Rookies, and poetry readings by Staceyann Chin representing the voices of marginalized groups.
WQXR’s Terrance McKnight will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
“We’re thrilled to partner once again with the Apollo Theater to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King,” said Brian Lehrer. “During the last year of his life, he grappled with the realities of an uncertain future, not unlike many Americans today. We’re looking forward to convening some of the brightest minds to discuss how Dr. King’s work can offer guidance, insight and hope for our time.”
“In addition to its rich legacy of presenting world class talent, the Apollo Theater has served as a constant resource and a town hall for its surrounding community as well as for people across New York City since its inception in 1934,” said Jonelle Procope, President & CEO of the Apollo Theater. “The Theater has always been a kind of organic gathering place for people particularly at historic moments in African American culture, as when thousands of people flocked to the Theater when Michael Jackson, James Brown and Prince passed away. Apollo Uptown Hall is a natural extension of that role, and so we are extremely proud to partner with WNYC again for the fourth year for their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration.”
“Where Do We Go From Here? MLK and the Future of Inclusion,” is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are mandatory at: apollotheater.org/ event/uptown-hall/
About WNYC
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC is a leading member station of NPR and also broadcasts programs from the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most-loved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab, On the Media, The Takeaway and Snap Judgment. WNYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors and sponsors.
About The Apollo Theater
The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging talents and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.
With music at its core, the Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken word initiatives, and more. This includes the October 2014 premiere and 2015 international tour of the dance celebration project James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, the annual Africa Now! Festival, and the recent New York premiere of the opera Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD. The Apollo is a presenting organization that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and music works organized around a set of core initiatives: Apollo Music Signature Programs—Amateur Night, Salon Series, Apollo Music Café; Legacy Series— work that celebrates and extends the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens; Global Festivals including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival and Breakin’ Convention, international and U.S.-based artist presentations focused on a specific theme; and Special Projects, multidisciplinary work with partner organizations.
Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms, and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.
The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization with the mission to extend the institution’s role in fostering artistic innovation and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.
About March on Washington Film Festival
The March on Washington Film Festival, a non-profit program of The Raben Group, strives to increase awareness of the untold events and unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Era, draw connections to the social justice issues of today, and inspire renewed passion for activism. The festival uses the power of film, music, and the arts to share these important stories. It was founded in 2013, on the 50th anniversary of the original March on Washington. The next festival dates are July 14-22, 2017 in Washington, D.C.
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